SPATIAL DYNAMICS IN TWO STORAGE AREAS OF THE CHAN CHAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL COMPLEX, PERU

Abstract

This paper provides a detailed analysis of the spatial organization of storage areas within the Uhle and Bandelier palaces at Chan Chan, Peru. The goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the administrative practices of the Chimú state between the 9th and 15th centuries. The research demonstrates how architectural layouts reflect political and economic control by employing AGRAPH software for spatial syntax analysis. Adopting a quantitative paradigm, the study investigates social relations through observable spatial patterns. The methodology examines syntactic indices, including control value, integration, asymmetric relativity, average distance, and total distance. These are applied to previously documented archaeological plans of structures preserved in both palaces. The results highlight significant differences between the two sites. At Uhle, courtyards and audiencias (U-shaped administrative structures) strictly regulated access to storage areas, indicating centralized control. At Bandelier, the presence of isolated sectors suggests the need for alternative administrative strategies. This study provides archaeological evidence for the connection between audiencias and storage, supporting Moore’s (1992) earlier hypothesis and offering new insights into the Chimú bureaucratic system. The analytical technique also enables inferences about social hierarchies and the ceremonial functions of these spaces. The absence of artifacts at Bandelier imposes certain limitations on interpretation.